Ravens On The Verge Of Respect? Only 2009 Will Tell.

Maybe I am biased, well I am, but in the 13 years the Ravens have been in the National Football League there has been a cloud. I have witnessed it and I don't particularly like it. It's an ugly cloud that neither rains nor thunders but looms. This same cloud may be the reason why Art Modell will not be alive to see his Hall of Fame induction (lets hope I am just being a nervous Nelly about that). It may also be that the reasons that till this day, when opposing fans define Ray Lewis, it isn't for one of the greatest linebackers to ever suite up, but as a probable murderer.

Granted, there are those out there in this world who lack originality and exhibit the ability to move on with issues in their life, but these are some examples of the weighing cloud that hangs over this team. And I challenge anyone (this is not one for scientific purposes but for fun) to visit a Cleveland Browns blog site and mention the Ravens. You'll find that even Cleveland fans still refuse to move on with the past. I don't know maybe there is something in the water from the lake.

I must admit that this cloud has not only appeared on the outside of this organization but it was looming with the Baltimore "faithful" once the Browns moved to Baltimore. "The Ravens! Oh, you mean the Browns". If I had a quarter for every time I heard that. I am proud to say that I was on board from day one. It was hard to jump ship from my Buffalo Bills but Baltimore had a team with NFL games to attend, I, along with countless other "die-hard" fans were ready for football. It took 3 long years and a Super Bowl win to actually turn this city around but as soon as it did; breakout the purple camouflage!? So as you can see this cloud has had many different faces and attitudes but it has always been there.

When I sit and think of any other NFL team that holds this kind of reputation I feel perplexed that none come to mind. Maybe the Detroit Lions or the Cincinnati Bengals but their reputations have been built off of consecutive losing records. It is hard for me to think of a current NFL team that has received this type of reputation. It is interesting how some fans can see the animosity towards this organization while the players could care less. It makes sense but it is sometimes hard to fathom. I feel fortunate to have routed for such a great organization over these past few years. Is it Dallas or San Francisco with their illustrious histories, no, but we as Baltimore fans have been privileged to see some awesome displays.

For example:
- Arguably one of the greatest defenses to ever take the field in 2000. It was nasty.
- A dominant Super Bowl win led by one of the classiest yet hard-nosed guys at QB, Trent Dilfer.
- Ravens post a 7-9 season in 2002 when all the experts predicted they would be lucky to win 4 games.
- 2003, Jamal Lewis and an awesome run-block line, anchored by Jonathon Ogden, was able to produce 2,066 yards in one season. This was only second to Eric Dickerson by 39 yards.
- A memorable 13-3 season in 2006, with an injury-prone, past his prime QB Steve McNair. Accompanied by an amazing defensive display, the Ravens were close to another trip to the big game but fell short.
- One of the greatest Middle-Linebackers to ever play along with one of the best (if not the best) safeties, those being Ray Lewis and Ed Reed.
- What about a Rookie QB from Delaware along with a Rookie Head coach who came out of nowhere to head to the AFC Championship in the 2008 season?

These are just a handful of items that have legitimized this franchise as a quality club over its brief history. The reason that I have chosen to focus all my writing on this "cloud" is because I noticed a trend, at the end of last season, when the Ravens were making their playoff run. The Ravens, from out of nowhere, had become the sexy favorite to go to the Super Bowl. Wait a minute. The Ravens? Are you kidding me? They are beginning to earn respect for their accomplishments?

It seems as if the Ravens would need to turn water into wine to finally turn the tables, which was what we saw in 2008, but what should we expect in 2009? Has this cloud finally lifted since the team has a valid Quarterback or was this just a small glimmer of hope? I would like to think that the league, its commentators and its fan base have finally started to understand that this organization is here to stay and is legitimate.